Major new international music industry conference to hit Jewellery Quarter

A major new international music industry conference and showcase event will take over the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, UK on Friday 14 September 2018.

Pivotal Music Conference, the first event of its kind in the city in recent years, will see music executives from the worlds of distribution, licensing, new technologies, performance, PR, production, promotion, recording, songwriting, streaming, video and more, share their expertise, insights and advice with delegates across four venues during daytime sessions across a number of venues.

An exhibition area at Pivotal will feature industry bodies and businesses British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA), British Phonographic Institute (BPI), Music Managers Forum (MMF), Music Publishers Association (MPA), Ticket Fairy and ROTOR alongside others to beannounced.

Conference attendeeswill also have the opportunity to book one-to-one with industry professionals via a series of ‘Speed Networking Surgeries’.

Pivotal has emerged from the regular sell-out Birmingham Tribes networking meetings, supported by MMF (Music Managers Forum) and MPG (Music Producers Guild) and led by Fat Penguin Management’s Chris Rogers, as well as the work of the Birmingham Music Coalition – a new industry body which will be officially launched at the event – led by music PR and consultant Lyle Bignon.

“I am so excited to finally be able to announce Pivotal, a day bringing exciting industry talent and developments to the region alongside some incredible live music. Pivotal is all about highlighting the incredible talent that the Midlands has to offer and bringing the industry to the region to see and experience it. With the growing success of the Tribes networking nights, the Birmingham Music Awards and the Birmingham Music Coalition, now feels the perfect time to launch Pivotal at a crucial moment for Birmingham, it’s creative industries and people”– Chris Rogers, Fat Penguin Management

“Recent developments in Birmingham and the Midlands region, as well as our many music business exports – from rising grime stars to acclaimed classical ensembles, emerging electronic producers to established music industry professionals – are all indicators that creative industry business here continues to grow beyond expectations. The launch of the Birmingham Music Coalition will help to support and solidify the independent music sector and the supply chain to expand to meet demand. BMC is committed to highlighting the city’s attractiveness for national and international investment, whilst nurturing home-grown talent. We’re hyped to share our plans with the music community over the coming weeks and months.” – Lyle Bignon, Birmingham Music Coalition

“Birmingham Promoters are thrilled to be involved in the launch of Pivotal 2018 and to celebrate we’ll be teaming up with the organisers to curate a night showcasing the best regional talents the Midlands has to offer on Friday 14th Sept at The Actress & Bishop venue in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Line-ups will be announced over the coming months.” – Carlo Solazzo, Birmingham Promoters

Some of the region’s most exciting new artists will take to stages across the conference’s footprint in the evening of Friday 14 September along with a number of national acts in a series of live shows presented by established live promotion company Birmingham Promoters and local artist development company VNS Management.

The one-day Pivotal Music Conference is being sponsored by Warwickshire-based award-winning craft brewery Purity Brewing Co, social event marketing and ticketing company Ticket Fairy, British Phonographic Institute (BPI), music management and consultancy business Fat Penguin Management, and online music video maker Rotor Videos.

Local partners include new industry body Birmingham Music Coalition, established live promotion company Birmingham Promoters, neighbourhood bar and kitchen 1000 Trades, and professional studio recording and music production outlet Giraffe Audio, along with national bodies British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA), and Music Producer’s Guild (MPG).

Confirmed speakers:

Joel Borquaye – A&R, AWAL

JP Braddock – Formation Audio

Chris Cooke – CMU Insights

Matthew Cotterill – Producer

Natalie Holmes – Artist

Chris McIntosh – Artist Ambassador, Sentric Music

Emma McGann – Artist

Diarmuid Moloney – CEO, Rotor Videos

Paul Schofield – Manager, JAWS

Jesper Skibsby – Founder, WARM

Charlotte Spillerova – Label Manager, Believe

Terry Tyldseley – Chair, Resonate Streaming

Mitch Wade Cole – Video Channel Manager, Believe

Further additions to the programme will be announced soon.

Tickets for the Pivotal Music Conference, priced £16.50, are released for general sale from 1000 Wednesday 27 June via the official Pivotal website.

About Us

An alternative What's on Birmingham guide, featuring the best bars, restaurants, live music, nightlife, shopping and arts events across the city.

Discover the latest cocktail bars, wine bars, pubs and restaurants. Find entertainment info on live bands, club nights and arts events with some of the best music venues, museums, galleries and comedy venue listings in Birmingham.